Floribunda Rose Plant Named &#39;GRAmary&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘GRAmary’ is a new and distinct floribunda type  Rosa  hybrid cultivar which is characterized by the combination of an upright to semi-weeping growth habit, excellent resistance to  Diplocarpon rosae , nearly continuous flowering, bright cerise double-type flowers, a mild rose fragrance, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation. The new cultivar is generally suited to landscape applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Australian Plant Breeder's Rights application number 2015/090, filed on Apr. 27 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrid disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘GRAmary’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Rosa hybrid, floribunda rose cultivar, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘GRAmary’. Its market class is PLT/141.

Parentage: ‘GRAmary’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled cross-pollination of an unnamed Rosa hybrid female breeding line and an unnamed Rosa hybrid male breeding line. Both parents, developed by the same inventor and never commercially released, exhibited traits deemed commercially significant and desirable.

After many years of trialing, the female parent was confirmed to possess a combination of desirable traits such as complete resistance to rose black spot disease, complete resistance to powdery mildew, and flowers with a strong citrus-like perfume borne on a bushy plant growing to 1.2 m tall and wide. The male parent was selected for use in breeding after trialing confirmed the presence of strong true-rose perfume and a bright, modern flower color. During the summer of 2010, the female parent was emasculated and was manually pollinated with pollen from the male parent. In autumn of 2010, seed was collected from hips produced by the female parent and a number of seedlings were grown to a mature size, including the claimed plant. These progeny were further evaluated for desirable traits such as black spot disease resistance and strong perfume, and in June of 2011 the claimed plant was first observed. In January of 2013, after further evaluation for desirable traits, the claimed plant was deemed to be garden-worthy and suited to widespread cultivation. It was given the denomination, ‘GRAmary’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual propagation of ‘GRAmary’, by way of softwood stem cuttings, was first performed in May of 2011 at the inventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. Through more than twelve subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa cultivar ‘GRAmary’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘GRAmary’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping         growth habit; and     -   2. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits excellent resistance to the         plant pathogen, Diplocarpon rosae, commonly referred to as rose         black spot disease; and     -   3. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits nearly continuous flowering;         and     -   4. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits a double flower type; and     -   5. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits bright cerise flowers which         fade to mauve pink; and     -   6. Rosa hybrid ‘GRAmary’ exhibits flowers with a mild rose         fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 15 month old ‘GRAmary’ plant grown outdoors at the inventor's commercial nursery in Highfields, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘GRAmary’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations and measurements, made in November of 2015, describe averages of two own-root specimens of two year old ‘GRAmary’ plants. The plants were grown outdoors in 20 cm containers, in a soilless pine bark based growing media, at the inventor's nursery in Highfields, Australia. No shade or supplemental light was provided. Temperatures ranged from approximately 12 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 3 to 18 degrees Celsius at night. Standard practices for irrigation, fertilizer and pest control were applied at appropriate times during the growing season. The plants were pruned once in July of 2015 using accepted techniques for rose pruning.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘GRAmary’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 Fifth Edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘GRAmary’ and comparisons with the parents and the most similar commercial cultivar of Rosa hybrid are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright to semi-weeping.         -   Growth rate.—Approximately 1 years to reach 40 cm.         -   Dimensions.—40 cm tall and 40 cm wide.         -   Environmental tolerance.—Very good heat tolerance; cold             hardiness is unknown.         -   Disease resistance.—Excellent resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and blackspot (Diplocarpon rosae).         -   Propagation.—Technique — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to             initiate roots — About 13 days at approximately 22 degrees             Celsius ambient temperature. Time to produce a rooted             cutting — About 25 days at approximately 21 degrees Celsius             at root zone and 18 degrees Celsius ambient temperature. -   Root system: White fibrous roots with many root hairs extending from     lesser roots in a featherlike arrangement. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Irregular branching from mature branches,             breaking first from the uppermost buds near the apex of each             shoot.         -   Quantity.—Numerous.         -   General dimensions.—Approximately 25 to 30 cm long; 0.6 cm             in diameter near the base and tapering to 0.4 cm.         -   Immature branches.—Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm. Texture             and pubescence — Smooth with prickles; glabrous. Color —             Near RHS 144D. Prickles — Density — Sparse to moderate.             Color — Near RHS 155C. Shape — Concave. Texture — Smooth.         -   Mature branches.—         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm, after two years.         -   Texture and pubescence.—Smooth with prickles; glabrous.         -   Color.—Near RHS 143C.         -   Prickles.—Density — Sparse to moderate. Color — Near RHS             155C. Shape — Concave. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate imparipinnate compound leaves.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 5 per mature branch.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Leaf internode length.—3 cm.         -   Dimensions.—Approximately 6.5 cm long and 4.0 cm wide.         -   Petiole.—Dimensions — Average of 1.0 to 1.6 cm long and 0.1             cm wide. Color — Near RHS 135D. Texture and pubescence —             Smooth and glabrous. Prickles — Not present. Stipitate             glands — Not present. Stipule — Dimensions — 0.5 cm long and             0.2 cm wide. Color — Near RHS 144D. Texture and pubescence —             Smooth and glabrous. Margins — Ciliate. Apex — Acuminate.             Base — Winged. Prickles — Not present. Stipitate glands —             Not present.         -   Rachis.—Dimensions — 1.3 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color —             Near RHS N135D, Prickles — Not present. Stipitate glands —             Not present.         -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Five leaflets on axillary leaves.             Dimensions — Average size of the terminal leaflet is 3.5 cm             long and 2.2 cm wide. Shape — Ovate. Apex — Acuminate. Base             — Cordate. Margins — Serrated. Texture, pubescence and             luster, adaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous, and semi-glossy.             Texture, pubescence and luster, abaxial surface — Rough,             glabrous, and matte. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial surface             — Near RHS 144C, with some anthocyanin intonations, RHS 53A,             at the margins. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface —             Near RHS 143C, with some anthocyanin intonations, RHS 53D,             across the entire leaf surface. Mature foliage color,             adaxial surface — Near RHS 132A. Mature foliage color,             abaxial surface — Near RHS 135D. Venation — Pinnate.             Venation color, adaxial surface — Near RHS 135C. Venation             color, abaxial surface — Near RHS 136D. Petiolule —             Dimensions — 0.1 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. Color — Near RHS             135C. Prickles — Not present. Texture — Smooth. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Flowers are solitary.         -   Blooming habit.—Almost continuous from October through June             in the southern hemisphere.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Medium.         -   Time to flower.—6 to 8 weeks for a new stem to mature and             flowering begins to occur once a stem matures.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — 4.0 cm long and 0.1 cm in diameter.             Color — Near RHS 144C. Strength — Strong. Texture and             pubescence — Smooth and glabrous. Prickles — Not present. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Size.—2.5 cm long and 1.2 cm in diameter.         -   Color.—Near RHS 141C. -   Flower:     -   -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with             two to three weak foliaceous appendages present on all             sepals. Diameter of calyx — 0.5cm Sepals — Color, interior             surface — RHS 136D. Color, exterior surface — RHS 141C.             Dimensions — 2.5 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. Apex — Acuminate.             Base — Flat at union with the receptacle. Quantity — Five.             Texture and pubescence — Soft and somewhat felt-like;             lightly pubescent. Margins — Two to three weak foliaceous             appendages. Stipitate glands — Not present.         -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Rounded. Upper profile —             Flattened convex. Lower profile — Flat. Rate of opening — 10             days from bud to anthesis. Dimensions — Approximately 6 to 8             cm in diameter and 3 cm deep. Fragrance — Mild rose scent.             Lastingness — On the plant for 5 days after anthesis.             Persistence — Self-cleaning. Petals — Petal count — Exhibits             semi-double flowers with approximately 10 petals under             normal conditions. Petal arrangement — Loose open whorl.             Dimensions — 3.0 cm long and 3.0 cm wide. Petal shape —             Rounded. Apex — Rounded. Base — Obtuse. Petal reflex —             Moderate reflexing on outer petals. Petal margin — Entire;             slightly undulating. Texture — Soft. Aspect — Slightly             ruffled. Petal color, upon opening — Upper surface — Near             RHS N66A, with yellow, near RHS 5C, at the base. Lower             surface — Near RHS 65D, with yellow, near RHS 2D, at the             base. Petal color, at anthesis — Upper surface — Near RHS             N66B, with yellow, near RHS 5C, at the base. Lower surface —             Near RHS 63C, with yellow, near RHS 2D, at the base. Fading             — Near RHS 54D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 80. Anthers — Shape —             Narrow ovate. Length — 0.1 cm. Color — Near RHS 26A. Pollen             — Many. Pollen Color — Yellow-orange, near RHS 21B.             Filaments — Color — Near RHS 7B. Length — Approximately 1.0             cm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Approximately 50. Length — Approximately             0.4 cm. Stigma — Shape — Rounded. Color — Near RHS 18B.             Style — Length — Approximately 0.2 cm long. Color — Near RHS             130D.         -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 0.5 cm long and 0.3 cm wide. Color —             Near RHS 3D.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Pitcher-shaped. Dimensions — 0.4 cm high             and 0.4 cm wide. Color — Near RHS 141C. -   Hip and seed:     -   -   Hip.—Shape — Rounded. Dimensions — 1.5 cm long and 1.7 cm             wide. Texture — Smooth. Color — Near RHS 138B.         -   Seed.—Not present. -   Comparisons with the parents: The new rose plant ‘GRAmary’ may be     distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed breeding line, by the     following combination of characteristics:     -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAmary’ exhibit a distinct bright cerise         general tonality, whereas the flowers of the seed parent exhibit         a soft pink general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping growth habit,         whereas the seed parent exhibits an upright growth habit. The         new rose plant ‘GRAmary’ may be distinguished from its pollen         parent, an unnamed breeding line, by the following combination         of characteristics:     -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAmary’ exhibit a distinct bright cerise         general tonality, whereas the flowers of the pollen parent         exhibit a purple general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits an upright to semi-weeping growth habit,         whereas the pollen parent exhibits an upright growth habit.     -   3. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits juvenile foliage colored near RHS 143A         with anthocyanin intonations, whereas the pollen parent exhibits         juvenile foliage colored near RHS 137C with no anthocyanin         intonations. -   Comparisons with the most similar variety of common knowledge:     Plants of the new cultivar ‘GRAmary’ may be distinguished from the     commercial variety Rosa hybrid ‘GRAppl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,364)     by the following combination of characteristics:     -   1. The flowers of ‘GRAmary’ exhibit a distinct bright cerise         general tonality, whereas the flowers of ‘GRAppl’ exhibit a         purple general tonality.     -   2. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits a petal count of approximately 10 petals,         whereas ‘GRAppl’ typically possesses 22 petals.     -   3. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits average leaf dimensions of 6.5 cm long and         4.0 cm wide, whereas ‘GRAppl’ exhibits average leaf dimensions         of 13.5 cm long and 8.5 cm wide.     -   4. Mature field-grown ‘GRAmary’ plants exhibit an average plant         height of 75 cm, whereas ‘GRAppl’ exhibits an average plant         height of 120 cm.     -   5. ‘GRAmary’ exhibits a rotund plant shape with more twiggy         stems, whereas ‘GRAppl’ exhibits an upright shape with strong         main stems. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrid plant named ‘GRAmary’, as described and illustrated herein. 